We are on the right path to curbing road fatalities, let’s stay the course

Opinion and Analysis

 

A police officer inspects a matatu on the Nakuru-Njoro Road. Photo/FILE 

By George Wachira

In Summary

• With the correct framework now in place, private sector and donors can chip in.

The way we are progressing, I assess that we are finally on a home stretch towards achieving sustainable management of road safety. And recent statistics on road accident fatalities are a positive indication that continuous improvement is setting in.

All arms of the government now appear conscious of the need to stop road carnage once and for all.

When last week the PSV regulations passed through Parliament with minimum fuss from politicians, I knew a major hurdle had finally been overcome. The politicians, for once, did not politicise road safety.

The judicial system has apparently also refused to be drawn into the game of vested interests. Their recent rulings appear to give a chance to the protection of human lives, for in deed those who die in road accidents cannot argue their cases in front of courts.

Finally, there is now a good law, sound regulations, and a full time road safety institution—the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). I trust that the Treasury will now sufficiently fund the NTSA to effectively carry out its mandate of making our roads safe.

With the correct framework now in place, the private sector, donors and NGOs will have the confidence to chip in with more resources and technical support.

For example, the insurance fraternity who are a major beneficiary of reduced accidents should be seen to assist the NTSA in promoting compliance with the new regulations.

We expect insurance premiums to come down for those who comply, while laggards in compliance are punished with higher premiums.

The NTSA has correctly prioritised the public service vehicles (PSV) which are the most vulnerable in causing fatalities and injuries on our roads .
The regulations launched recently are essentially a framework for PSV road safety management systems.

The systems appear to be framed in such a way as to require the transport companies and SACCOs to implement the systems themselves and report compliance to NTSA every quarter.

This is a good example of imposed “self regulation” with the authority undertaking monitoring. There is reduced reliance on the police for systems compliance. Issuance of PSV and driver licences is a critical compliance “weapon” to be employed by the regulator.

NTSA may however need to enlist experts on road safety management systems to assist SACCOs to launch and maintain effective systems. Eventually compliance will become routine and discipline will reign.

The more enterprising PSV transport firms will even wish to go for ISO certification as a way of professional differentiation of their safe services.

I would strongly recommend annual awards to the best compliant PSV groups to stimulate competition for safety excellence.

Of course there is always a cost to compliance and the PSV owners are already screaming about this. However, there will eventually be a balancing payback to the PSV companies for the money they invest in safety.